In the grand hall of He'an City's royal palace, known as Eternal Harmony Hall, a profound silence hung over the room. The chamber itself exuded an air of supreme power, its vast, imposing space framed by towering columns adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to dance in the flickering torchlight. High above, banners in royal crimson and gold fluttered gently from the ceiling.
At the heart of this magnificent hall stood a round table carved from a single slab of dark, gleaming wood. Its surface shimmered under the soft glow of the flames, and its sheer size and perfection made it seem as though it had been crafted for gods. Surrounding the table were nine grand chairs, each one as resplendent as a throne, and in those chairs sat the leaders of the human race—eight men and one woman, all dressed in garments that bespoke power and authority.
At the head of the table sat the Human King, the ruler of He'an City, and the most formidable warrior in all the land. His robe, embroidered with red and gold beasts, shimmered under the flickering torchlight. Though his face was deeply lined with age and his hair white as snow, his sharp, penetrating eyes revealed the undying vitality and strength of a Mystical-level warrior—one who had long since surpassed the limits of mortal men. His voice, when it came, was measured but carried a weight that silenced the entire hall.
"Everyone, speak your thoughts," the King commanded, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.
In front of each person lay two books: ≤The Path of the Warrior≥ and ≤Comprehensive Guide to the Worlds of Runes≥.
A man rose from his seat, his massive form draped in gold-patterned armor, his blue cape sweeping the floor behind him as he moved. His beard, thick and untamed, framed a face hardened by battle, and his voice boomed with the authority of a warlord, as he spoke in a deep, resonant voice, "My King, this goes against our laws. No matter who this 'Passing Traveler' may be, spreading knowledge of this kind without our approval is an offense that cannot be ignored."
This man was the lord of Tufang City, the Fifth Elder, and a Mystical-level warrior.
The Third Elder, stroking his short, graying beard, nodded in agreement. "Indeed. It has long been a taboo to spread knowledge of Grandmaster-level techniques. These two books are being carelessly circulated, and it's a direct threat to the foundation of the Nine Cities."
Across the table, the Seventh Elder, a wizened old man with a face as wrinkled as an ancient parchment, let out a soft chuckle. His eyes gleamed with mischief, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I actually think this 'Passing Traveler' is a once-in-a-generation genius. These two books are beyond extraordinary."
The Fifth Elder's response was immediate and fierce. His eyes blazed with fury as he slammed a fist onto the table, rattling the heavy tomes in front of him. "Genius? What genius could surpass us? We—the nine of us here—are the pinnacle of human achievement, the ones who shattered the limits of our bloodline and climbed to the peak of this world. We are the real geniuses."
His words inadvertently flattered the Seventh Elder, who could only chuckle in response, amused by the outburst, and returned to flipping through the pages of the books, his interest piqued even further.
The Third Elder continued, "This 'Passing Traveler' may have his merits, but he he has violated our most sacred laws. His actions cannot be tolerated."
The Fourth Elder, a man with a square jaw and an implacable expression, spoke next. His words were measured, yet they rang with finality. "He cannot stay."
Seated across from him was the Ninth Elder, a striking woman whose appearance belied her true age. Her gown shimmered with vibrant hues, and her every gesture was laced with playful allure. She raised a delicate hand to her mouth and giggled, her eyes flashing with amusement as she glanced at the men seated around the table. "Why can't he stay? she purred, her voice like silk. "I, for one, find this 'Passing Traveler' rather intriguing. Why not keep him around?"
Her flirtatious eyes swept over the old men in the room, her tone provocatively teasing, "What, are you all scared?"
The Fifth Elder immediately slammed the table, pointing at her. "Outrageous! You old hag, watch your mouth!"
Unperturbed, the Ninth Elder rolled her eyes as if to say she owed him no response, dismissing him with a flick of her hand. Her teasing smile lingered as she ignored his outburst.
This only made the Fifth Elder angrier.
The tension crackled in the air until the Third Elder, ever the mediator, raised a calming hand, trying to smooth things over."Enough. Let's not ruin the council with petty squabbles. Old Five, sit down."
The Fifth Elder jabbed his finger in the Ninth Elder's direction. "But she—"
The Third Elder's face turned stern. "Sit down!"
Reluctantly, the Fifth Elder slumped back into his seat, still visibly displeased.
Silence returned to the hall as the Third Elder rose once more, his hand gently stroking his beard as he addressed the King. "This 'Passing Traveler' is a threat to our order, but also a potential asset. If he can be made to serve us, perhaps we can turn this situation to our advantage."
His gaze swept the room, gauging the others' reactions before continuing. "I propose three measures: First, we recall and confiscate all copies of ≤The Path of the Warrior≥ and ≤Comprehensive Guide to The Worlds of Runes≥, classifying them as forbidden texts. Second, we send a team to capture the 'Passing Traveler' and bring him here to face judgment. Third, we establish a Rune Academy to ensure future talents are raised under our control."
He paused, then turned to the King. "What is your will?"
The King, his eyes still closed, let the weight of the proposal settle in the room. Finally, he opened them, his gaze sweeping over the council. "What do the rest of you think?"
Though a few voices murmured in agreement, none dared oppose the King's unspoken decision. They all knew that once the King had set his mind on a course of action, it would be followed without question.
As for whether ≤The Path of the Warrior≥ and ≤Comprehensive Guide to The Worlds of Runes≥ had already spread too far to be retrieved, none of the Elders doubted their ability to reclaim control. They had absolute confidence in their dominance over the human race.
Seeing no further comments, the King nodded. "Then it is decided."
The council adjourned, but as the doors of Eternal Harmony Hall closed behind them, the wheels of destiny had already begun to turn. Ten Grandmaster-level warriors were dispatched, their mission clear: find the 'Passing Traveler'—Su Hao—and bring him to the palace.
The hunt had begun.
....
Meanwhile, far from the halls of the royal palace, Su Hao moved through the bustling streets of a distant town, oblivious to the political machinations unfolding in He'an City.
He had long since stopped keeping track of his exact location within the vast Yonghe Continent.
To him, it hardly mattered. His life had become a nomadic blur, as he wandered from city to city, selling copies of his books to anyone eager enough to grasp the secrets within.
Su Hao knew he was playing with fire. Knowledge of the Runes he freely distributed wasn't just a boon—it was a threat to the established order. The rulers of the Nine Cities would eventually come for him. He had expected as much from the start. That's why he remained constantly vigilant, keeping his [Radar] active within a two-kilometer radius. If things went south, he would escape immediately.
Today had been no different. After selling the last of his books to a crowd of eager buyers, Su Hao was preparing to slip away into the shadows when his [Radar] suddenly flared with activity.
A cold chill shot down his spine as he detected ten powerful blood Qi signatures closing in fast from all directions. Each one was like a burning beacon of power—Grandmaster-level warriors.
"They're here," Su Hao muttered under his breath.
His heart raced as he calculated his odds. Ten of them. They weren't taking any chances. The Nine Cities had sent their best to capture him.
He clenched his jaw. There was no time for hesitation. The only thought in his mind was to Run. Facing ten Grandmasters by himself? He'd have to be insane to try that.
Without wasting another moment, Su Hao scanned the encircling signatures, pinpointing the weakest link in the net closing around him.
He found it: a Grandmaster with slightly lower blood Qi to the northeast. It was still a formidable opponent, but that was the path with the highest chance of escape.
But no matter—Su Hao had runes.
Su Hao took off, his body blurring into motion. He wasn't just fast; he was a blur of calculated precision.
He activated a series of runes, each one boosting his speed and reducing the drag on his body. The ‹Wind Resistance Reduction› rune made it feel as though he was cutting through the air with minimal effort, while the ‹Burst› rune pushed him forward with explosive acceleration.
His form shimmered as the ‹Color Change› rune minimized his visibility, blending him into the surroundings. With each stride, his movements grew more fluid, aided by the ‹Coordination› rune that kept his balance perfect, no matter how fast he moved.
Su Hao's speed increased exponentially, pushing him to the verge of breaking the sound barrier.
Trees, rocks, and buildings blurred as he sped past them, yet no matter how fast he ran, the Grandmasters kept closing in. Su Hao's mind raced. 'How are they tracking me?
"What's going on?" Su Hao was baffled. He could sense his enemies normally, but how were they tracking him? Were they using some method he wasn't aware of?
In a matter of seconds, he would come face-to-face with one of the Grandmasters.
With a thought, he activated a series of defensive runes etched into his armor. His body became a fortress as the ‹Hardening›,‹Deflection›, ‹Barrier› and ‹Vibration› runes sprang to life, surrounding him with layers of protection.
His weapons, too, hummed with blood Qi as he prepared for battle. His long blade shimmered with the runes of ‹Hardening›, ‹Sharpness›, ‹Penetration›, and ‹Drill›, while his short blade was laced with ‹Hardening›, ‹Sharpness›, ‹Penetration› and ‹Corrosion›. These blades weren't just tools—they were extensions of his will.
Then, through the trees, Su Hao saw his opponent.
The Grandmaster in blue-gray armor stood tall, his broad shoulders squared beneath his imposing steel helm. His weathered face was as cold and expressionless as the blade he held—a wide, gleaming saber that pulsed with a familiar gray light.
Su Hao's mind blanked for a moment. 'Isn't that a rune saber? My enemy is using a weapon I created to kill me?'
A strange smile appeared on Su Hao's face. Was this a joke? Using runes against him?
That was a terrible mistake.
Gripping both his blades, Su Hao adjusted his stance mid-sprint to maximize his attack power.
The distance between them evaporated in a flash, and Su Hao's heart pounded in rhythm with the accelerating world around him.
‹Triple Burst›—«Shadow Step»
"Boom∼!"
A thunderous explosion echoed across the landscape as Su Hao surged forward, his speed multiplied by the ‹Triple Burst› rune. Dust and debris exploded behind him, and in the blink of an eye, Su Hao vanished from the Grandmaster's sight.
The Grandmaster stood bewildered for a moment. Then, his saber shattered, the blade spinning through the air in pieces. His gaze followed the remnants of his weapon, his mind struggling to comprehend what had happened.
"Clang∼! Clang∼! thud∼…"
The broken blade hit the ground with a metallic clatter, accompanied by the soft thud of a head rolling into the grass.
"Thump∼"
With a heavy thump, the Grandmaster's body crumpled to the earth, lifeless.
Without looking back, Su Hao sprinted away.
In that brief exchange, Su Hao had swung his blades twice. With his right hand, he had severed the Grandmaster's saber, and with his left, he had decapitated him.
The entire exchange had lasted mere heartbeats, and the Grandmaster hadn't even registered his death before it claimed him.
The key to his success was his speed.
The ‹Triple Burst› rune had more than doubled Su Hao's speed in an instant.
But his victory was short-lived. In just a few breaths, the remaining nine Grandmasters converged on the spot where their fallen comrade lay, his body still warm in the grass.
They exchanged brief, shocked glances, each of them silently processing the brutal efficiency with which Su Hao had dispatched one of their own.
The leader of the group, a tall warrior clad in a flowing white water-patterned cloak, furrowed his brow. His eyes narrowed as he gazed in the direction Su Hao had fled. His voice was like ice as he spoke. "We cannot let him escape. Chase him down. No matter the cost."
He then turned to one of the other Grandmasters, a man with a bulbous nose, and asked, "Old Cao, can you still track him?"
Old Cao nodded.
Without another word, the group set off in pursuit.